By Mark Fernandez Manila, Philippines, [24 October 2024] — The second day of the 61st People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Annual Conference held last October 17, 2024 at the Iloilo Convention Center was a milestone event, with the prestigious 48th PMAP Awards taking center stage. This celebrated occasion honored companies and leaders whose dedication to exemplary human resource management and people development is shaping the future of the industry.
In a highly competitive field, Jollibee Foods Corporation, with their tagline “Choose Joy”, was awarded the highly-coveted PMAP Employer of the Year Award. Renowned for its strong people-centric culture, Jollibee has consistently fostered an environment where inclusion, growth, and employee well-being are prioritized. Its comprehensive approach to employee development not only enhances productivity but also serves as an inspiring benchmark for other organizations. Other finalists in this category—Ayala Corporation, Foodsphere, Inc., NLEX Corporation, and Philippine Airlines, Inc.—were recognized as Regional Exemplars, each demonstrating impressive HR innovations.
A particularly emotional moment of the night came when Mr. Arsenio Sabado, Global Chief Human Resource Officer of Jollibee Foods Corporation, was honored as the People Manager of the Year. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in driving Jollibee’s HR success, implementing innovative employee engagement programs that have tangibly improved employee satisfaction and development. In his speech he coined that “What they say is this is an individual award, but I see it more as a reflection of our collective effort and impact in our organization. You're all a force of joy! This award is not for myself or for my HR team; this award goes to all employees of Jollibee Food Group around the world who are making a difference..” Mr. Sabado's passion for people has not only led to Jollibee’s overall success but has also influenced how HR leaders across industries approach talent management and employee development.
The 48th PMAP Awards not only celebrated national winners such as Mr. Arsenio Sabado of Jollibee Foods Corporation, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., and Chong Hua Hospital, but also honored regional exemplars—companies and individuals like Mr. Ericson Del Castillo, Mr. Francisco Romero Milán of Ayala Corporation, Foodsphere, Inc., NLEX Corporation, and Philippine Airlines, Inc. These individuals and organizations showcased groundbreaking HR strategies in their respective regions, emphasizing that industry leadership manifests in various forms, from innovative learning programs to exemplary workplace culture initiatives.
Both the national winners and regional exemplars demonstrated that success in human resource management goes beyond numbers—it is about the lasting impact on people and the cultures they cultivate. By celebrating these achievements, the 48th PMAP Awards underscored the transformative power of strong leadership and people-first initiatives that are shaping the future of human capital management.
